Beckman Coulter’s genetic analysis system helps screen brain tumour samples and target chemotherapy

Neuropathologists at Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital use the Beckman Coulter CEQ 8000 genetic analysis system to examine brain tumour samples. Identification of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) helps oncologists identify those patients whose malignancy is most likely to respond to chemotherapy.

Tumours which appear histologically identical may exhibit very different clinical behaviour, including divergent responses to therapy. Classifying tumours by loss of heterozygosity enables identification of tumours which will respond to chemotherapy. Using the CEQ 8000 system, the Glasgow team identify LOH by comparing a patient’s brain tumour tissue with their own normal cells obtained from a small blood sample or a buccal swab.

Thomas Kerr working with Dr Willie Stewart in Neuropathology at the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, explains, ‘By screening patients using the CEQ 8000 to analyse LOH we can identify those for whom chemotherapy has the potential to add 8–10 years to their lives. Our hope is to offer a referral service to neuropathology centres further afield, so targeting limited NHS resources more effectively and allowing neuro-oncology services outwith the region access to this investigation when planning patient management.’

Part of Beckman Coulter’s GenomeLab family of products, the CEQ 8000 series builds on more than a decade of innovation in laboratory automation and capillary electrophoresis technology, automating and integrating the majority of genetic analysis functions into one flexible, easy-to-use system.

CEQ software delivers high-precision sizing of amplified DNA fragments with accurate allele assignment and locus identification, and automatic analysis of LOH.

Beckman Coulter, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of biomedical testing instrument systems, tests and supplies that simplify and automate laboratory processes. Spanning the biomedical testing continuum – from pioneering medical research and clinical trials to laboratory diagnostics and point-of-care testing – Beckman Coulter’s 200,000 installed systems provide essential biomedical information to enhance healthcare around the world. The company, based in Fullerton, California, reported 2004 annual sales of $2.4 billion with 64 per cent of this amount generated by recurring revenue from supplies, test kits and services.